EIS PUBLIC SCOPING PROCESS

The proposed replacement runway and terminal development at Port Columbus International Airport is a federal action that requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) gives all persons, organizations, and government agencies the right to review and comment on proposed federal actions that are evaluated by an EIS. This is known as the "Scoping Process." The scoping process is the initial step in the preparation of the EIS. The scoping process is "an early and open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the significant issues related to the proposed action." Therefore, the scoping process will identify:

Range of actions (project, procedural changes)

Alternatives - those to be rigorously explored and evaluated and those that may be eliminated

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first announced in the May 1, 2006 Federal Register the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the construction of a replacement runway and terminal development at Port Columbus International Airport. The notice required that all comments on the proposed project be received by July 1, 2006.

In addition, two Public Scoping Workshops were held on May 31st at the Holiday Inn & Suites, 750 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio and June 1st at the Ramada Inn, 4801 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio both from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.